Ukrainian CUKR Residence Card Now Available—3-Year Stay Without Temporary Protection
Starting May 4, 2026, Ukrainian citizens with PESEL UKR status can apply for the new CUKR residence card (Czasowe Uprawnienie Karty Rezydenta), granting three years of legal residence and full labor market access via the MOS portal.
Poland has opened applications for a new residence card tailored to Ukrainian citizens. From May 4, 2026, Ukrainians under temporary protection with a valid PESEL UKR number can apply for the CUKR residence card ("Previously a holder of temporary protection"). This is a voluntary, transitional legalization pathway that converts temporary protection into a regular three-year temporary residence permit.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be a Ukrainian citizen (or authorized family member: spouse, minor child, child of spouse, or immediate family with Pole's Card).
- You must have obtained PESEL UKR status by June 4, 2025.
- You must have held uninterrupted UKR status for at least 365 consecutive days.
- You must still hold UKR status on both the date of submission and the date of card issuance.
- Your PESEL UKR record must be complete (fingerprints, electronic signature sample, valid passport details).
Rights & Restrictions
The CUKR card grants full access to the Polish labor market without a separate work permit and permits business activities on equal terms with Polish citizens. Time spent under a CUKR card counts toward EU Long-Term Resident eligibility. However, obtaining the CUKR card automatically cancels your UKR status, which means loss of some UKR-linked benefits, including free public university tuition and state healthcare coverage under the special Ukraine assistance program.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted exclusively online via the MOS portal. No in-person filing is allowed. You must create a new MOS account, upload a recent digital photograph, proof of stamp-duty payment (PLN 340) and residence-card fee (PLN 100), and sign electronically. The application window runs from May 4, 2026 until March 4, 2027.
Important Deadlines & Notes
- Application deadline: March 4, 2027.
- Card collection deadline: You must collect your card within 60 days of the voivodeship office's notification, or it will be invalidated (though your UKR status remains valid).
- Address change requirement: You must notify the voivode of any change of residence within 15 working days.
- Absence limit: Leaving Poland for more than six consecutive months will result in revocation of the CUKR card.
- One-time card: The CUKR card can only be issued once. After expiration, you must apply for another residence permit under general rules.
For Ukrainians Considering This Path
The CUKR card offers stability and work flexibility, but it is not automatic or mandatory. If you are currently in school and depend on free tuition, or if you rely on UKR health benefits, weigh the trade-offs carefully. Consult a migration lawyer to confirm your eligibility and understand the implications for your specific situation before applying.
Sources
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